# How to Fix AirDrop Not Working?

If you’re an Apple user, **AirDrop** is one of the most convenient features for instantly sharing photos, documents, and files between iPhones, iPads, and Macs. But when AirDrop stops working, it can be frustrating — especially when you rely on it for quick transfers. This complete guide explains, in detail, **how to fix AirDrop not working**, get help from out expert at **1-888-653-7618** tollfree for including causes, step-by-step solutions, and expert tips to restore smooth wireless file transfers across your Apple devices.

Whether you’re dealing with AirDrop not detecting nearby devices, transfers failing halfway, or your iPhone not appearing at all, this tutorial will help you understand what’s going wrong and how to fix it.

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## **1. What Is AirDrop and How Does It Work?**

Before fixing **AirDrop not working**, it’s important to understand how it functions. AirDrop uses a combination of **Bluetooth** and **Wi-Fi** to establish a peer-to-peer connection between Apple devices. It doesn’t require an internet connection — just proximity and correct settings.

When you initiate an AirDrop transfer, your device:

1. Uses **Bluetooth** to detect nearby devices.
2. Creates a secure, encrypted **Wi-Fi Direct** connection.
3. Transfers files quickly and privately between devices.

If either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi isn’t functioning properly, AirDrop will fail.

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## **2. Common Causes of AirDrop Not Working**

AirDrop issues can occur due to several reasons. Understanding the root cause is essential before applying fixes.

* **Bluetooth or Wi-Fi disabled** on either device.
* Devices are **too far apart** (beyond 30 feet or 10 meters).
* **Software bugs** in iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.
* Incorrect **AirDrop visibility settings** (Contacts Only vs Everyone).
* **Firewall restrictions** on Macs.
* **Airplane Mode** or power-saving features interfering with wireless radios.
* **Outdated Apple ID or contact info** preventing recognition between devices.

Knowing which of these applies helps you pinpoint the correct fix faster.

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## **3. Initial Quick Fixes for AirDrop Not Working**

Sometimes, simple steps can resolve **AirDrop not working** issues instantly.

**Step 1: Toggle AirDrop, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi**

* On iPhone/iPad: open **Control Center** → tap **Wi-Fi**, **Bluetooth**, and **AirDrop** off → wait 5 seconds → turn them back on.
* On Mac: open **Control Center** on the menu bar → disable and re-enable **Wi-Fi** and **Bluetooth**.

**Step 2: Turn Off Airplane Mode**

Ensure neither device is in Airplane Mode, as this disables wireless radios required for AirDrop.

**Step 3: Restart Both Devices**

Restarting clears temporary software glitches and resets connections that may block AirDrop.

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**4. Check AirDrop Settings and Permissions**

If toggling doesn’t help, inspect AirDrop settings.

**On iPhone or iPad**

1. Open **Settings → General → AirDrop**.
2. Choose either **Contacts Only** or **Everyone for 10 Minutes** (iOS 17+).

* “Contacts Only” requires both devices to be signed in with Apple IDs containing each other’s contact info.
* “Everyone for 10 Minutes” temporarily makes your device discoverable by all Apple devices nearby.

**On Mac**

1. Open **Finder → AirDrop** (or press **Command + Shift + R**).
2. In the AirDrop window, click **“Allow me to be discovered by” → Everyone**.

Ensuring both devices are visible under compatible settings often restores functionality.

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**5. Verify Device Compatibility**

Not all Apple devices support full AirDrop functionality. Check these requirements:

* iPhone 5 or newer.
* iPad (4th gen) or newer.
* Mac (2012 or newer, excluding mid-2012 Mac Pro) running OS X Yosemite or later.

If one device is older than these models, AirDrop may fail or appear missing.

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**6. Update Software**

Outdated iOS, iPadOS, or macOS versions may contain AirDrop bugs.

* On iPhone/iPad: go to **Settings → General → Software Update**.
* On Mac: open **System Settings → General → Software Update**.

Install any available updates and reboot. Apple frequently fixes AirDrop connectivity issues through updates.

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**7. Check Personal Hotspot and Internet Sharing**

If your iPhone’s **Personal Hotspot** is active, it disables AirDrop because both use the same Wi-Fi interface.

Go to **Settings → Personal Hotspot → Off** before retrying AirDrop.

Similarly, on a Mac, ensure **System Settings → General → Sharing → Internet Sharing** is disabled.

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**8. Sign In with the Same Apple ID (for Contacts Only Mode)**

If using **Contacts Only**, both devices must:

* Be signed in with Apple IDs that have each other’s contact information saved.
* Have iCloud Contacts enabled (**Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Contacts On**).

Mismatched contact details can prevent device recognition, making AirDrop seem broken.

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**9. Bring Devices Closer**

AirDrop relies on Bluetooth to detect nearby devices. Keep them within **10 meters (33 feet)** and remove any physical obstructions like walls or metal surfaces that may block the signal.

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**10. Disable VPN or Firewall Restrictions**

A VPN may interfere with AirDrop’s peer-to-peer networking.

* Disable any VPN temporarily to test.
* On Mac, go to **System Settings → Network → Firewall → Options**, then uncheck **“Block all incoming connections.”**

Once verified, you can re-enable security settings after successful transfers.

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**11. Reset Network Settings**

If none of the above work on Airdrop not Working resetting network settings often resolves **AirDrop not working**.

**On iPhone or iPad**

1. Open **Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings**.
2. Enter your passcode and confirm.
3. Your Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, and VPN settings will reset.

After the reset, reconnect to Wi-Fi and retry AirDrop.

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**12. Check Do Not Disturb / Focus Mode**

**Focus Mode** or **Do Not Disturb** may stop your device from being visible.

* On iPhone: open **Control Center**, ensure Focus Mode is **off**.
* On Mac: go to **Control Center → Focus**, and toggle **Off**.

Once disabled, retry AirDrop — you should see the receiving device appear.

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**13. Ensure Devices Are Unlocked**

AirDrop visibility works only when devices are awake and unlocked.
Keep both screens on during the transfer to maintain the connection.

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### **14. Reset Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Modules in Mac (Advanced Fix)**

Sometimes hardware modules get stuck in an unresponsive state.

**On iPhone/iPad**

Toggle **Airplane Mode** on for 10 seconds, then off — this resets both radios.

**On Mac**

1. Open **Terminal**.
2. Enter the command:

   sudo pkill bluetoothd

This restarts the Bluetooth daemon.
3. Then toggle Wi-Fi off and on again from the menu bar.

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**15. Clear System Cache Files on Mac**

Old cache or preference files may corrupt AirDrop’s network services.

1. In Finder, press **Command + Shift + G**.
2. Type **~/Library/Preferences/** and hit Enter.
3. Locate and delete files named:

* `com.apple.Bluetooth.plist`
* `com.apple.airdrop.plist` (if available)
4. Restart your Mac.

Clearing these files resets AirDrop preferences without affecting other settings.

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**16. Test AirDrop Using Safe Mode (Mac Only)**

Safe Mode loads macOS with minimal drivers, helping identify third-party conflicts.

1. Restart your Mac.
2. Hold **Shift** during startup until the login screen appears.
3. Test AirDrop.

If it works in Safe Mode, a third-party background app is likely interfering.

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**17. Temporarily Create a New User Profile (Mac)**

Create a temporary user account to test whether profile-specific preferences are at fault.

1. Go to **System Settings → Users & Groups → Add User**.
2. Log in as the new user.
3. Attempt AirDrop again.

If it works, migrate your files to the new profile or reset your existing one.

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### **18. Apple Mac Factory Reset (Last Resort)**

If none of the steps restore AirDrop, performing a factory reset may be necessary.

* On iPhone/iPad: **Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings**.
* On Mac: Use **macOS Recovery** → Erase Mac and reinstall.

Always back up via **iCloud** or **Time Machine** before erasing.

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**19. Check for Hardware Issues**

If AirDrop fails across multiple software resets, there might be a hardware issue with the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth antenna.

Visit an **Apple Store** or **Authorized Service Provider** for diagnosis.

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### **20. Preventive Tips to Avoid AirDrop Problems**

* Keep devices updated regularly.
* Avoid simultaneous use of Hotspot and AirDrop.
* Turn off VPNs when transferring files.
* Maintain moderate distance between devices.
* Reboot devices every few days to clear memory cache.

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## **How to Fix AirDrop Not Working Advanced Troubleshooting and Device Connectivity**

AirDrop is a seamless way to transfer files, but sometimes the simple fixes from Part 1 aren’t enough. Part 2 focuses on **advanced troubleshooting**, addressing compatibility issues, iCloud conflicts, and hidden settings that can block AirDrop.

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**1. Advanced Device Compatibility Checks**

Even when AirDrop seems enabled, mismatched devices or OS versions can prevent file transfers:

* **iOS to macOS**: Ensure your iPhone or iPad is running iOS 11 or later, and your Mac is on macOS High Sierra or newer. Older systems may not fully support peer-to-peer transfers.
* **Mac-to-Mac**: Verify both Macs support AirDrop with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth hardware. Macs from 2012 or newer are compatible.
* **Cross-Apple ID Transfers**: For "Contacts Only" mode, both devices must share each other’s Apple IDs in their contact cards.

> Tip: Temporarily set **AirDrop visibility to “Everyone”** to bypass Contacts Only conflicts for testing.

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**2. Resolving iCloud and Contact Conflicts**

AirDrop can fail if your devices cannot recognize each other through iCloud:

* Check that **iCloud Contacts are enabled** on both devices:

* iPhone/iPad: `Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Contacts`
* Mac: `System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Contacts`
* Make sure both devices have **each other saved in Contacts** with the exact email or phone number linked to Apple ID.
* Sign out and back into iCloud if syncing appears broken.
* For corporate accounts or multiple Apple IDs, ensure both devices are **logged into the same trusted account** to avoid encryption mismatch errors.

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### **3. Fixing Mac-to-iPhone AirDrop Visibility Issues**

Sometimes Macs do not appear on iPhones or vice versa. Use these advanced steps:

1. **Restart Bluetooth services** on Mac:

   sudo pkill bluetoothd

This refreshes the Bluetooth daemon.
2. Disable VPNs or proxy servers that might interfere with peer-to-peer Wi-Fi.
3. Check firewall settings:

* `System Settings → Network → Firewall → Advanced → Allow incoming connections for AirDrop/Finder`
4. Ensure **AirDrop window is open in Finder** for the Mac. Without the Finder window active, the device may not broadcast.

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**4. Checking Hidden AirDrop Restrictions**

Some users accidentally enable restrictions that block AirDrop:

* **Screen Time Restrictions (iOS/iPadOS)**:

* `Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Allowed Apps → AirDrop → ON`
* **Parental Controls** may block AirDrop or limit device visibility.
* Corporate device management profiles (MDM) may restrict peer-to-peer file sharing.

> Tip: Temporarily remove restrictions to test AirDrop functionality.

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#### **5. Interference and Network Environment Considerations**

AirDrop uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi simultaneously. Environmental factors can prevent a stable connection:

* Remove devices from **metal surfaces or crowded Wi-Fi areas**.
* Turn off **other Bluetooth devices** that may conflict.
* Ensure devices are **within 10 meters (33 feet)** with clear line-of-sight.
* Disable **Personal Hotspot** during transfers to free Wi-Fi resources.

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## **6. Using AirDrop from Recovery and Safe Mode (Mac)**

If AirDrop still fails:

* Boot your Mac in **Safe Mode**:

* Restart Mac → hold **Shift** → login screen appears → release Shift.
* Safe Mode loads minimal drivers and can isolate third-party software conflicts.
* Try AirDrop in **Recovery Mode** if Safe Mode works but normal mode fails.

* Boot Mac → Command + R → Utilities → Disk Utility → Check network and AirDrop functionality.

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### **7. Advanced iOS Device Settings**

On iPhone/iPad, AirDrop may fail due to subtle settings:

* **Reset Location & Privacy Settings**: `Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Location & Privacy`
* **Reset Network Settings** (already covered in Part 1) can solve persistent Bluetooth/Wi-Fi conflicts.
* Toggle **Handoff**:

* `Settings → General → AirPlay & Handoff → Handoff → ON`
Handoff enables better communication between devices in the Apple ecosystem, occasionally helping AirDrop.

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**8. Troubleshooting Large File Transfers**

Large files can fail even if small ones succeed:

* Split files into smaller chunks for easier transfer.
* Avoid AirDrop during **low battery mode** or if devices are charging via USB (some USB-C ports can interfere with Wi-Fi Direct on MacBooks).
* Ensure both devices have **sufficient storage space** to receive files.

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### **9. AirDrop Through VPNs and Network Proxies**

VPNs or proxy configurations can break AirDrop’s peer-to-peer connection:

* Disable VPNs on both devices before testing.
* If on corporate networks with firewalls, switch to a home Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot temporarily.
* Check that **Wi-Fi adapter settings** on Mac are set to allow peer-to-peer connectivity (sometimes called “Wi-Fi Direct”).

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**10. Expert-Level Diagnostics**

If all else fails:

* **Console Logs (Mac)**: Open `Console.app → search for “AirDrop”` to identify connection errors.
* **Apple Diagnostics**:

* Restart Mac → hold **D** → run Apple Diagnostics to check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth hardware.
* **iOS Analytics**:

* `Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements → Analytics Data`
Review crash logs for AirDrop service failures.

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## **How to Fix AirDrop Not Working – Device-Specific Fixes, Privacy, and Large File Transfers**

AirDrop can fail even when basic and advanced troubleshooting steps are followed. Part 3 addresses **specific device interactions, privacy/security settings, and multi-file transfer strategies** to ensure AirDrop works reliably across Apple devices.

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### **1. iPhone-to-iPhone AirDrop Transfers**

AirDrop between iPhones should be straightforward, but several factors can prevent detection:

* **Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must be active on both devices**.
* Ensure **AirDrop is set to “Everyone”** for initial testing. Later, you can revert to Contacts Only.
* Both iPhones must be **unlocked and awake**.
* Remove **interference from other Bluetooth devices**, like wireless headphones or speakers.

**Tips for Large Media Files**:

* Compress videos or photos before transfer.
* Transfer in batches to avoid transfer failure.
* Keep devices connected to power if transferring multiple files to prevent low-battery interruptions.

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### **2. iPhone-to-Mac AirDrop Transfers**

When sending files from iPhone to Mac:

* **Mac must have Finder → AirDrop window open**.
* Check **“Allow me to be discovered by Everyone”** in the AirDrop Finder settings.
* Disable **Mac Firewall temporarily** for testing:

* `System Settings → Network → Firewall → Off`.
* Ensure iPhone and Mac are on **the same Wi-Fi network**, although AirDrop can work without an internet connection.

**Common issues & solutions**:

* Mac not appearing: Restart Bluetooth on Mac and toggle AirDrop on iPhone.
* File not transferring: Reset network settings on iPhone.

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### **3. Mac-to-Mac AirDrop Transfers**

For Mac-to-Mac transfers:

* Both Macs must be **2012 or newer** and running **OS X Yosemite or later**.
* Open AirDrop in Finder on **both Macs**.
* Disable VPNs and firewalls that may block peer-to-peer connections.
* Use Safe Mode if third-party apps interfere with discovery.

> Tip: Use **New User Profile testing** to isolate AirDrop conflicts caused by specific system settings or apps.

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**4. Privacy Settings and Security Considerations**

AirDrop is encrypted and secure, but privacy settings can block transfers:

* **Contacts Only mode** may fail if the sender or recipient isn’t saved in Contacts.
* **Do Not Disturb or Focus Mode** can block AirDrop notifications.
* **Screen Time restrictions** can disable AirDrop entirely.
* For corporate devices, **MDM profiles** may restrict AirDrop or block peer-to-peer connections.

**Recommendation**: Temporarily set AirDrop to **Everyone** for troubleshooting, then revert to Contacts Only for security.

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**5. Group or Multi-User AirDrop Transfers**

AirDrop is not optimized for mass file distribution, but you can:

* Send files **one device at a time** to avoid discovery errors.
* Ensure all receiving devices are **unlocked, awake, and in AirDrop discovery mode**.
* If transferring media to multiple devices, consider **using iCloud Drive or a shared folder** as a workaround.

> Note: Some users experience failures when too many devices attempt AirDrop simultaneously in crowded areas. Maintain distance and limit active devices during transfer.

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**6. Large File Transfers**

AirDrop handles large files, but failures are common if files are very big:

* Split large videos into smaller parts.
* Convert photos and videos to compressed formats like HEIC or MP4.
* Disable Low Power Mode during transfers.
* Avoid AirDrop when **battery is below 20%**.

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**7. AirDrop Between Different Apple IDs**

If devices belong to different Apple IDs:

* Use **Everyone** mode for temporary transfers.
* Ensure the devices **do not have restrictions enabled** via Screen Time or MDM profiles.
* Confirm that both devices have **updated software versions** compatible with each other.

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### **8. AirDrop Troubleshooting for iPads**

iPads may fail due to:

* **Bluetooth disabled**: Always check Control Center.
* **Wi-Fi interference**: Move closer to other devices.
* **Locked screen**: Unlock before initiating transfer.
* **Low power or battery-saving settings**: Disable for reliable transfers.

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### **9. Best Practices for Reliable AirDrop**

To prevent AirDrop failures:

* Keep devices updated with the latest iOS/macOS.
* Reset network settings periodically.
* Avoid AirDrop near crowded Wi-Fi/Bluetooth environments.
* Maintain devices within **10 meters (33 feet)**.
* Test AirDrop in **Everyone mode** before using Contacts Only.
* Ensure devices are **awake and unlocked** at all times during transfers.

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### **10. Expert Tips for Persistent AirDrop Issues**

* Check **Console logs on Mac**: Identify AirDrop or Bluetooth-related errors.
* Use **Apple Diagnostics** to detect hardware issues.
* For corporate devices, verify that **firewall rules, VPNs, or MDM profiles** do not block AirDrop.
* As a last resort, **backup and reset devices** to factory settings.

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After all if you still unable to resolve the problem by yoyr own then we suggest you to contact Apple customer care. You can call at 1-888-653-7618 for expert solution.

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